State targets gun glorification in songs

In a bid to curb the glorification of violence and the influence of criminal culture among youth, the Haryana Police has taken down 18 Haryanvi songs from various social media platforms over the past two months. The songs, officials claim, promote gun culture and have become a tool for gangsters to identify and recruit potential members.

Of the 18 songs removed, 10 belong to popular Haryanvi singer Masoom Sharma. Other artistes whose songs were pulled down include Amit Saini Rohtakiya, Rahul Puthi, Narendra Bhagana, PS Polist, Sumit Patra, Biru Kataria, Vipin Mehandpuria, and Raj Mawar.

According to the Cyber Crime Branch of Haryana Police, the lyrics in many of these songs glorify violence, guns, and criminal acts — turning them into potential “hunting grounds” for gangs looking to expand their influence. “The comments on such songs often reveal individuals’ inclination towards violence. Gangsters monitor these reactions to scout for potential recruits,” said an officer from the department.

The removal of the songs comes amid growing concerns about the influence of the Haryanvi music industry, which has surged in popularity thanks to catchy beats and bold lyrics. With Haryanvi lyrics gaining ground in Bollywood and beyond, a growing number of young singers have entered the scene, many drawing inspiration from Punjabi music known for its themes of violence and power.

While the songs have garnered national and international attention, the Haryana Government is now determined to “nip the trend in the bud." The crackdown was reportedly triggered by a high-level meeting between Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and senior police officials in January this year, shortly after the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a notice of motion in response to a contempt petition demanding enforcement of earlier directives to ban such music.

“The Chief Minister stressed the urgent need to reduce crime in the state. During the meeting, it was pointed out that music glorifying violence had a deep impact on the youth. He gave the go-ahead to take action,” said Parveen Attrey, media adviser to the Chief Minister.

Experts have offered a sociological lens to the issue. Professor Jitender Prasad of Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, said that these songs offer a “masculine identity" that appeals to the male ego. “With a gun, they feel powerful. But removing songs alone won’t tackle the issue. The entire culture feeds this image. We need sustained efforts, possibly through NGOs and awareness drives, to challenge this mindset,” he suggested.

Meanwhile, Masoom Sharma, the artiste most affected by the crackdown, took to social media to express his frustration. He alleged that several of his songs with millions of views were unfairly removed and blamed a government appointee. Sharma later met the Chief Minister to voice his concerns.

The government, however, maintains that the move is impartial and in line with policy. “Any song that glorifies violence will be removed — regardless of the artiste,” an official stated.

Haryana Tribune